“You also assume I would allow such a man to touch me,” I said, voice low and rough. “I learned long ago to sleep with a blade beneath my head.”
The corner of Roark’s mouth curved.That I believe, though I doubt you know how to use it.
“Pray you never find out.”
Roark’s eyes darkened.You are understanding hand speak well.
I took a step back. “Another of my talents. I have a knack for studying the movements of bones.”
The lie would serve me well, for the last thing I ever wanted was Roark Ashwood discovering how tirelessly I’d studied the written guide of his words. That would bring the man too much satisfaction.
He gestured to Emi, who informed Bjorn Stonehands I would meet the rest at the Boarshead when the revel began.
I did not miss the parted lips of the woman as Roark dragged me deeper into the market.
21
Roark
The Boarshead Tavern sat atopa knoll within the palace boundaries. A crooked pipe puffed smoke from the large inglenook, and the sod atop the roof grew wildflowers in the wet months. Tonight, lanterns hung from iron hooks and set the whole tavern aglow against the purple dusk.
A revel was the last thing I wanted tonight. Tension rippled across my shoulders and had for the better part of two days. The sort that felt more like an instinct than annoyance.
There was something coming, and I could feel it brewing. The walls had been too quiet since Lyra entered the fortress. She’d already melded a soul bone, ignited the power in her blood, then bound a jarl’s disowned son to the king.
Something was coming.
Enemies of the king never allowed Damir to bask in his small victories for long. They always knew when Fadey melded, and it was long past time for them to realize the lost melder had been found.
The wolf in the wood was only the beginning.
“You’re hurting my arm.” Lyra tugged against my grip once we reached an arched bower outside the tavern. “The king said I was to be kept comfortable, not dragged around like your personal pet.”
I looked once over my shoulder, and seeing no one, pressed her back to the mossy stones of the wall.
Her lips parted with a gasp and her eyes, darkened with dyes, widened when I crowded her. I flattened one palm beside her head and with my other hand, I gripped her jaw, holding her gaze for a breath.
Her chest rose in harsh gasps, brushing her breasts against me, but she didn’t look away.
Slowly, I pulled back one palm to speak.If the king knew what a fool his new melder was, he would bind you in iron and keep you tethered to his side. Test me again and I’ll see it done.
Her full lips curved up, annoyingly captivating. “And if the king knew his son’s Sentry was such a brute, he might station you outside the wall with the wolves.”
The last word came out in a hiss. A furrow built between my brows. I expected her to catch the anger in my face, not my actual words.
I leaned closer, pressing her body firmly to the wall.How is it you understand me so well so soon?
“That’s what bothers you?” Lyra snorted a laugh. “That I understood your words enough to catch your insult?”
Gods, she was aggravating.
How?My fingers brushed along her cheek.
I’d used hand speak against Emi’s palm, or Thane’s at times, but I didn’t touch others. Truth be told, the thought of it often repulsed me beyond sparring and battle and the occasional tryst.
There was no reason to draw near to anyone in Stonegate.
But brushing a word against Lyra’s skin caused a bit of pleasure to burn in my veins when her breath caught. As though I unsettled her as fiercely as this gods-awful woman was peeling back my ribs, peering inside to see my every secret.
